Vehicle-wheel.



VEHICLE WHEEL.

APPLIOATLON FILED APR! 3. 190B.

Patented Aug. 17, 1909.

'ENITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. i

BARRETT C. OBLINGER, OF INDEPENDENCE, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO ALBERT H. G. BEATTY, OF INDEPENDENCE7 MISSOURI.

VEHICLE-WHEEL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 17, 1909.

Application led April 3, 1908. Serial No. 424,936.

Be it known that I, BARRETT C. OBLINGER a citizen of the United States, residing at Independence, in the county of Jackson and State of Missouri, have invented a new and useful Vehicle-V'Vheehpf which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to vehicle wheels of that character utilizing spring controlled spokes in lieu of pn/eumatic tires, thus permitting the use of a solid tire but obtaining all of the resiliency resulting from the use of a pneumatic tire.l

The object of the invention is to provide a novel arrangement of spokes and springs whereby-the rim of the wheel will be capable of independent movement relative to the l hub, said rim, however, being held against undesirable rotation with respect to the hub.

Another object is to provide a wheel'all of the parts of which can be conveniently reached for the purpose of repairing or replacing` the same.

Another' obj ect is toprovide a wheel which is not only durable and simple in construction but can be manufactured at comparatively slight cost and will not easily get out of order.

lVith theseand other objects in view the invention consists of 'certain novel features of construction and combinations of parts which will be hereinafter more fully described and pointed outin the claims.

In the accompanying drawings is shown the preferred form of the invention.

In said drawings: 'Figure l is a view partly in side elevation and partly in section of a portion of the wheel. ,Eig 2 is an enlarged section on line AB, F ig. l.

Referring to the figures by characters of reference, l designates a hub ofany'desiredj construction and having radial spokes 2 of wood or metal to the outer ends of which is secured an inner rim consisting of concentric circular hoops or rings 3 and 4said rings being formed ofl metal and spaced apart by means of filling blocks 5 preferably made of Wood and which are located at the 'ends of `the spokes. rI`hese spokes project through 'Inner ring ei-and have nuts 6 upon their outer ends which are seated in recesses 7 in the blocks 5. Oushioning devices such as rubber buttons 8 are preferably secured to the outer ring l and across the recesses 7 ,.these buttons -being fastened position in-any preferred manner as by providing them with enlargelments 9 seated-inopenings l0 within ring 4.

Located between the 'filling blocks 5 are metal boxes l1 arranged in pairs and oppositely disposed, said boxes being preferably formed of brass and spaced apart so as to form longitudinal slots which register with similar slots 12 formed in the rings 3 and 4. `Iilanges 13 preferably extend from the ends of the boxes and straddle the ends of the filling blocks and any suitable means such as bolts 14 extend through the rings, flanges, and blocks for the purpose of securely fastening parts in place.

Extending through each pair of slots l2y and between the boxes adjacent thereto is a movable spoke l5 having a coupling sleeve 16 screwed upon its inner end and engaging the threaded end of a heavy coiled spring 17. The other end of this spring is screw threaded and engages a bowed flange 18 which extends laterally from a ring 19 bolted or otherwise' secured to one side of the spokes 2 and close to hub l. These flanges are designed to fit snugly between the spokes, as clearlj. indicated in Eig. l, and lock nuts 2O may be placed upon the threaded portion of each spring and at opposite 'sides ofthe flange engaged thereby for the purpose of fin countersinks within the outer ring 24 and the urged portions 21 of the spokes extend through the inner ring,vthere being a lock nut upon the threaded portion of said enlargement for securely fastening the spoke within the outer ring. Any suitable means such as' bolts 27 may be provided for additionallyv securing the lfilling blocks between the rings 23 and 24:.

It is of course to be understood that the inner'and oiiter Arims of the wheel are normally concentric and the inner rim is always concentric with the hub. kWhen the wheel is in use the inner rim will be free to move relatively to the outer rim so as t0 take up jolts and thus permit a vehicle to pass smoothly ever rough roads. This movement neumatic tire and, moreover, 1s much more 4 ofthe outer rim relative' to the -inne'r rim is permitted because ofthe spring connections between the spokes of the outer riin and the hub. Independent lateral movement of the rims is prevented because the spokes of the outer rim'work within the slots 12 of the.

inner rim. These slots, however, permit a slight independent movement of the outer rim in the direction lof its circumference but this, however, is desirable because it facilitates the starting of a vehicle'upon whichthe wheels are employed. If-for any reason the stress of the springs shouldbe overcome, as by a sudden severe jolt of the wheel, the

inner rim Awill be prevented from comingk into contact with the outer rim by the rubber cushions or buttons 8'. Inasmuch as the rin 19 'is fastened to the inner sides of the spo es'access canbe readily had to the s rings and their points of connection from t e outside ofthe wheel and repairs will therefore begreatly facilitated. 4

A wheel such as herein described can be manufactured much cheaper than a wheel for similar purposes and provided with a ing' boxes.

l2. -The combination with' a hub, spokes` radiating therefrom, and la slotted rim secured to the spokes; of an outer rim coin prisinginner and outer rings,` filling blocks secured therebetween, spokes flxedly conneoted to said rim and movably mounted within the slotsq a ring secured tothe spokes of the slotted rim, projecting devices there- Aon extending between said spokes, and elas' 'tic connections between said devlces and the spokes of the outer rim.

3. A wheel comprising aV hub, spokes fixedly connected thereto and radiating there, from, a ring secured upon one face of the spokes, a series of' inwardly bowed.flanges extending laterally from the ring and seat.-- ed between the spokes, an innerv rim carried by the spokes and concentricwith the hub,

said inner rim having circumferential slots', an outer rim, spokes carried by the outer rim and extending through the slots, and v spring connections between the spokes of the outer rim and the bowed ianges.

4. A wheel comprising a hub, spokes fix edly connected thereto and radiating therefrom, av ring secured to the spokes at one side of the wheel, a seriesof inwardly bowed ianges extending laterally from thei'ing l and`between the spokes, anl inner rim fiXedly, connected to said spokes and having circumferential slots, an outer rim, inwardly eX- 'tendinv spokes carried by the outer rim and extending through the slots, and springs ad' justably connected tothe spokes of the outer' rim and to the bowed flangesll In testimony that I claim' the as my own, I have hereto affixed my signa- -'ture in the .presence of two witnesses'.

I l c BARRETTC. OBLINGER Witnesses: v

j E. R. HUMriianr, E.L.MAJ0R.`

foregoing 

